Can I count it twice if I read it twice in a year? 50 book challenge.

[ThatCampWitch]

Warning: very petty predicament!

I challenged myself to read 50 books this year. I’ve actually read 57 books so far, which is great. I think but I’m not 100% sure that I read a particular book at the start of January this year, and have counted it in this total, but there’s a slight chance I read it in December last, but I’m assuming it was January.

I really want to read it again, it’s Christmassy and I just want to! Can I count the same book twice in one year if I’ve read it twice? Or can I only count each book once per year?

Book lovers, what would you do?

Assume you read it last year. Reading is a pleasure, no need for unnecessary rules.

Count it how you like. Lots of people count books they read to their children. Also you've read your 50, well done!
What's the book? Must be good to read it twice!

No! You can't count it twice.

On the other hand, I'm not sure if it makes sense to have a numerical challenge, which may lead you to read only shorter, simpler books.

It’s your challenge so you make the rules!

Thanks everyone! It’s Little Women. I’m still mulling it over. I like setting myself challenges, but I just read what I fancy, I don’t deliberately choose shorter books just to boost the numbers.

You can't count it twice!
You've already read more than 50 books anyway.

I think you can totally count it twice!

I've read a few books twice this year, including Shuggie Bain and The Vanishing Half, both times because they were book club choices and it was some months since I'd read them.

It was a revelation how much more I got out of a second reading. I'm a fast reader and I think I'm prone to power through a book focusing mainly on the plot first time round, whereas on a reread I will reflect a lot more on the character development, the themes and the language used.

With this in mind, I'm rereading Small Island at the moment following a 15 year gap. It's amazing how much I'd forgotten; I really only recalled the chapters set in London and there's so much more to the novel than that.

I've had some disappointing reads lately and this year I'm planning to spend a lot more time revisiting books I've loved in the past.

@Stokey

Count it how you like. Lots of people count books they read to their children. Also you've read your 50, well done! What's the book? Must be good to read it twice!

All this!

There aren’t really any fixed rules, everyone makes their own. Some people don’t count rereads (from previous years), others do. Some don’t count audio books, others do. Some don’t count short stories, others do. Basically - your number challenge is only for you so it’s up to you to decide what counts and what doesn’t!

I keep a tally of what I have read (mostly as I forget!) and totally count a book I've read for the second time if I've read it cover to cover. Just a quick flick through before book club discussion doesn't count though.

Think I've read about 57 this year too

I'd count it twice, yes !!

I'm just finishing up the Tattooist of Auschwitz / Cikas journey in preparation for The three sisters. I read both back in February.

This reminds me, I should count my number for this year!

Thanks all, interesting to hear what you all think! If anyone is interested, I decided not to re-read just now, so the issue of whether to double count books read twice in one year remains unsolved. I went for A Christmas Carol instead